S12ZVHY mixed-signal microcontroller family offers extreme integration and significant cost savings for two-wheel and entry-level four-wheel vehicles
Freescale Semiconductor is adding an entry-level device family designed primarily for the automotive instrument cluster market to its S12 MagniV mixed-signal microcontroller (MCU) portfolio. The new S12 MagniV S12ZVHY MCU family enables developers to create a comprehensive instrument cluster solution with a single chip, significantly reducing time to market and the overall bill of materials.
The S12ZVHY mixed-signal MCU family integrates extensive analog capability so automotive developers can connect high-voltage signals and power supplies directly to the MCU, helping save board space and reduce system complexity. By designing with the S12ZVHY MCU family, developers also can minimize sourcing from multiple suppliers and improve overall system reliability.
“Adding the S12ZVHY mixed-signal MCU family to our S12 MagniV automotive instrument cluster lineup provides an ideal single-chip solution for the two-gauge automotive cluster market,” said Ray Cornyn, vice president and general manager of the automotive MCU business at Freescale. “These highly integrated devices enable streamlined design for entry-level instrument cluster applications, where cost and board space are key selection criteria.”
“Freescale and Varroc have been working as partners for more than a decade,” said Vineet Sahni, president at Varroc. “The new S12 MagniV S12ZVHY MCU family is the outcome of our fruitful partnership. We provided feedback to Freescale to spec out a part that is ideally suited for the automotive market in India. We are delighted that Freescale has introduced such a highly integrated part.”
The S12 MagniV S12ZVHY portfolio is targeted at instrument cluster applications requiring controller area network (CAN) connectivity, stepper motor gauges and segment LCD or dot-matrix displays. Customers building an efficient instrument cluster solution can benefit from the integration provided by the S12ZVHY MCU platform, including familiar S12 MCU family features such as low power consumption and smart peripherals as well as features such as a CAN module, a built-in voltage regulator, a real-time clock and sound generator. Features unique to the S12ZVHY family include 4K of ECC RAM and stepper stall detection capability.
The S12ZVHY family is an extension of the current S12ZVH family, allowing hardware and software reuse between platforms through pin compatibility and common S12Z cores, peripherals and software. If customers developing on the current S12ZVH platform are looking for fewer features, the S12ZVHY family is ideal, providing further cost optimization and no major design modifications needed. Customers can seamlessly transfer their current S12ZVH development to the S12ZVHY platform.
Benefits of S12 MagniV technology
Traditionally, automotive electronic designs have required multiple devices: some created with a high-voltage process to connect to the battery and power actuator outputs, as well as microcontrollers created with a low-voltage digital logic process.
The S12 MagniV technology uses Freescale’s proven, low-leakage fabrication process to integrate 40V analog, non-volatile memory (NVM) and digital logic on a single piece of silicon. The result is a compact and cost-effective solution that does what it takes up to four chips to accomplish in current designs. Fewer components increase overall quality, allow customers to create a smaller board and ultimately reduce the weight of the vehicle.
Enablement
For the S12ZVHY family, Freescale offers development tools and software common to existing S12 MCUs, including a cost-effective development system, compilers from Cosmic and the CodeWarrior IDE and debuggers. Customers can begin development immediately with the current S12ZVH reference design, which provides schematics and documentation that will allow them to easily build their own instrument clusters and migrate seamlessly to the S12ZVHY reference design planned for later this year.
